Description

Surma Siah  at sknatural is collyrium. Its main constituent is galena. Galena, the primary component of Collyrium (Surma/Ismad), is an inorganic lead compound people commonly find it in mineralized fissure veins and replacement bodies. Occasionally, other metals such as Silver, Copper, Zinc, etc., may be present in trace amounts combined with this ore.

It appears as greyish black cubic crystals and is practically insoluble in water or aqueous mediums. When reduced to an ultra-fine powder, people combine it with or without appropriate herbal ingredients, gold or silver leaves, gemstones, and marine coelenterates. Generally this preparation is utilized for the treatment and prevention of various eye diseases.

Surma siah is cold in second order and dry in third order.

Other names:

Arabic Name(s): Kuhl, Ismad
Urdu Name(s): Surma, Kohl, Anjan
English Name(s): Galena, Lead Ore, Lead Sulphide

Properties:

Antiseptic, astringent, protects eyesight, styptic, protective against spread of viral infections. Adsorbtive, anti-infective, and oligodynamic.

Recommended dosage:

For external use only in micro quantities with the aid of Salai (Applicator).

Medicinal uses:

After triturating, calcining, and finely powdering, we prepare the substance into a standardized applicable form or combine it with other suitable and beneficial ingredients. This preparation aims to maintain and improve eyesight while making the eyes appear more conspicuous. Furthermore, it offers protection against various diseases, dirt, and other invading particles. Additionally, it serves as a useful astringent for eye care.

Various types of collyrium, such as ‘Surma Qandhari, Surma Isphahani, and Hajr-al-Kohl (Mohammad Hashim – Tajir Surma, Karachi),’ vary in grades depending on their sources and consist of different mineral ores associated with Galena. Another type, Surmi, is a variant of collyrium that is comparatively darker in color than galena and deviates from the standard specifications of Galena.

Any toxic effects attributed to the use of collyrium are mostly due to antimony sulphide and are not associated with actual collyrium, which has Galena as its major ingredient and has been used for centuries in various civilizations.